Exploring College: Schools in Miami
by Amalie Ise, Junior, iPreparatory Academy
by Amalie Ise, Junior, iPreparatory Academy
Junior year (or even earlier!) is a great time for students to begin the college search. The beginning of the school year is the same time that seniors will decide: to which colleges will I apply? What courses do I want in a college/university? What can I afford?
Florida is known for having some of the best colleges in the country! Because Miami has over 6 million people and is very diverse, there are many local colleges that students should consider: the University of Miami (private), Florida International University (public), and Miami Dade College (public/community college). When comparing the three local colleges, there are a few factors to understand: programs offered, population statistics, acceptance rates, tuition, and FL Prepaid and Bright Futures.
Florida is known for having some of the best colleges in the country! Because Miami has over 6 million people and is very diverse, there are many local colleges that students should consider: the University of Miami (private), Florida International University (public), and Miami Dade College (public/community college). When comparing the three local colleges, there are a few factors to understand: programs offered, population statistics, acceptance rates, tuition, and FL Prepaid and Bright Futures.
According to MyFloridaPrepaid.com FL Prepaid is a 529 Plan that “allows families to lock in college plan prices and prepay, on a monthly or lump-sum basis...When your student is ready for college, the Plan pays the costs covered under your plan type at any Florida College or State University, even if the cost of college is higher than anticipated when your plan prices were set.”
Another great source of money for college is “The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program [that is] lottery-funded to reward Florida high school graduates for high academic achievement.” Look for my November article where I explain all of the great opportunities of Bright Futures.
Another great source of money for college is “The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program [that is] lottery-funded to reward Florida high school graduates for high academic achievement.” Look for my November article where I explain all of the great opportunities of Bright Futures.
University of Miami Campus
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University of Miami:
The University of Miami commonly referred to as UM, is located in Coral Gables, Florida, and has 12 separate colleges: School of Architecture, College of Arts and Sciences, Miami Herbert Business School, School of Communication, School of Education and Human Development, College of Engineering, School of Law, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, Miller School of Medicine, Frost School of Music, School of Nursing and Health Studies and The Graduate School. It has a broad selection of options and incorporates a diverse range of studies. The honors program offers more than 180 majors! U.M. is a very prestigious school with a competitive acceptance rate of 27.1%! What’s even crazier is the tuition rate of $51,930 USD per year! The students to faculty ratio are 12:1 and more than half the classes have fewer than 20 students in them. They do offer scholarships and accept Florida Prepaid College Programs, however, they do not accept not Bright Futures Scholarships. |
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Florida International University:
Florida International University commonly referred to as FIU is located in Miami, Florida. FIU has two campuses throughout Miami, one in Doral and one in North Miami Beach. FIU has 11 separate colleges, including Arts, Sciences & Education, Business, Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Communication, Architecture + The Arts, Engineering & Computing, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Honors College, Law, Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences, Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work and Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs. FIU’s acceptance rate is 57.5%, which is compared to other universities nationally, and this is an average school admission rate. |
Florida International University Campus
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The FIU honors college is composed of 2,400 students. The student-to-faculty ratio is 23:1 and under 35% of the classes have less than 20 students. In-state tuition is $6,565 USD per year, whereas out-of-state (students not from FL) tuition is $18,963 USD per year. So, comparatively, it is pretty affordable, and FIU accepts both Florida Prepaid College Program and Bright Futures Scholarships.
Miami Date College Campus
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Miami Dade College:
Miami Dade College is commonly referred to as MDC, located in Miami. There are a total of eight campuses spread all throughout Miami. MDC is composed of 11 schools as well: Benjamín León School of Nursing, Miguel B. Fernandez Family School of Global Business, Trade and Transportation, School of Education, School of Engineering, Technology and Design, School of Health Sciences, School of Justice, Public Safety and Law Studies, School of Science and School of Continuing Education and Professional Development. |
MDC has an honors college that is 2 years long that will let students learn their art degree. The student-to-faculty ratio is 25:1. MDC has an acceptance rate of 100%! In-state tuition is $2,838 USD per year, while out-of-state (non-FL resident) tuition is $9,661 USD/year. Miami Dade college Florida accepts both Prepaid and Bright Futures Scholarships.
All of these schools are in the Miami Metro area and are great for someone who either wants to live close to family or with their family (that is called a commuter student). But they also offer dorms on the FIU and UM campuses that you can pay additional fees for. All three schools are great schools where anyone can further one’s education.